NBAA Update Archive

NBAA Update #09-01
Monday, January 5, 2009

NBAA Update is the National Business Aviation Association's weekly e-mail newsletter, providing
the latest operational, regulatory and legislative news for the business aviation community.
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Business Aviation News & Issues

Use NBAA's Contact Congress to Make Your Voice Heard on TSA's LASP Proposal
NBAA has provided a new letter for Members to send to their elected representatives in Washington which outlines the concerns the business aviation community has with the TSA's proposed Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP). The proposal, which was
introduced last October, would impact all aircraft with a maximum certified takeoff weight (MTOW) above 12,500 lbs. The new letter is accessible through NBAA's Contact Congress resource, and can be personalized and previewed before it is sent. NBAA
strongly encourages Members to use the resource to make their voices heard. To access the new letter, visit:http://www.nbaa.org/advocacy/lasp

New NBAA Guide Helps Members Submit LASP Comments to Regulators
As part of the continued effort to lead the industry’s response to the TSA’s LASP, NBAA has prepared a new online guide to help Members submit comments to regulators about not only the LASP but also any future regulatory proposals that affect the
way Members operate or use their aircraft. This new resource guides Members through the key points to cover in developing comments, including one’s standing as a respondent, specific concerns with a regulatory proposal and cost consequences. NBAA
encourages Members to take advantage of this new resource, as participation in the comment process is the only sure way for the aviation community to affect the final version of federal regulations. NBAA will distribute this resource at the TSA’s
upcoming public hearings on the LASP, and it is also available online in PDF format at:http://www.nbaa.org/advocacy/rulemaking-comments.pdf

NBAA’s Holiday Week Media Interviews Continue Highlighting Need for Business Aviation
Over the past week, as 2008 closed out with the usual “year in review” news roundups from media organizations, some coverage highlighted the use of business aviation, and explored how its use has been viewed, given the challenging economy. NBAA
President and CEO Ed Bolen reminded reporters that business airplanes are a strategic asset. In an interview that aired today, Bolen informed a CNBC reporter that companies view business aviation in light of how it will help their bottom line.
Bolen’s comments in interviews like this one have also pointed to the value of business aviation to communities across the U.S. To access resources NBAA Members can use to explain the value of business aviation, visit NBAA’s background materials for
the media at:http://www.nbaa.org/news/backgrounders

IRS Has Adjusted Aviation Excise Tax Rates for 2009
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has published 2009 inflation adjustments to excise taxes on commercial air transportation. As adjusted, the domestic segment fee will be $3.60; the international arrival/departure tax will be $16.10; and the tax
for Hawaii and Alaska flights (which applies only to departures) will be $8. The IRS did not modify the 7.5 percent tax that applies to the amount paid for domestic commercial air transportation. These tax rates are applicable until March 31, 2009,
to coincide with the pending Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization. At that time, Congress will have an opportunity to extend or modify these rates. To view NBAA’s excise tax resources and the updated IRS Revenue Procedure Form,
visit:http://www.nbaa.org/admin/taxes/federal/fet

Register Now for This Saturday’s GA Focus Group on FAA NOTAM System
The American Institutes for Research (AIR), a not-for-profit research organization, will host a focus group meeting this Saturday, January 10, in Washington, DC on the FAA’s notice to airmen (NOTAM) system. AIR is hosting the focus group for general
aviation pilots to provide feedback on the current NOTAM system, and suggestions for the new NOTAM system that the FAA is developing. Feedback and suggestions will be shared with the FAA’s Aeronautical Information Management group. The focus group
will meet from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at AIR’s offices at 1000 Thomas Jefferson Street NW. For details and registration information, contact Cori White at cwhite@air.org or visit:http://websurveyor.airws.org/ss/wsb.dll/8/NOTAM.htm

Public Hearings on LASP Begin This Week in New York and Georgia
The TSA will hold the first in a series of public hearings on its proposed LASP tomorrow, January 6, at Westchester County Airport (HPN) in New York. Registration opens at 8:00 a.m., but the opportunity for attendees to offer oral testimony will
continue throughout the day. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen will testify at tomorrow’s meeting, along with other aviation leaders and local owners and operators. Four more hearings are scheduled in the coming weeks at locations throughout the
country. Atlanta, GA will host its hearing this Thursday, January 8. Additional hearings will be held in Chicago, IL on January 16; Burbank, CA on January 23; and Houston, TX on January 28. For more information, contact NBAA’s Doug Carr at dcarr@nbaa.org. To review the specific LASP provisions the TSA is seeking comment on and for further details, visit:http://www.nbaa.org/ops/security/programs/lasp/public-meetings.php

NBAA’s Carr to Speak at Professional Pilots Meeting in Ohio on Jan. 7
This Wednesday, January 7, the Professional Pilots Association (PPA), based in Columbus, OH, will hold a meeting at Bolton Field Airport (TZR) featuring a presentation by NBAA’s Doug Carr, vice president, safety, security & regulation, on the
TSA’s proposed LASP. Carr will provide details on the proposed regulations and how they might impact operations, and will solicit feedback from attendees. The meeting will start at 6:00 p.m. and will be held at Capital City Jet Center on the
airport, located at 2000 Norton Road in Columbus. Dinner will be served. Interested parties must make a reservation on the PPA web site. Questions may be directed to NBAA’s Bob Quinn at bquinn@nbaa.org. For more
information and to make a reservation, visit:http://www.propilots.org

ORBAA Annual Safety Day Will Be Jan. 21; RSVP by Jan. 9
The Ohio Regional Business Aviation Association (ORBAA) will hold its annual Safety Day on January 21 at Port Columbus International Airport (CMH). Updates on the FAA runway safety and Ohio aerospace initiatives will be provided, and presentation
topics will include safety management systems and safety response plans. Held at Lane Aviation on the airport, the meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a continental breakfast and lunch will be served. Send RSVPs by Friday to Lori Williams of
AircraftLogs at lori.williams@aircraftlogs.com. For more information, contact NBAA’s Bob Quinn at bquinn@nbaa.org.

Plan Ahead for Travel to DC Area During Inauguration: NBAA Has TFR Information
The Presidential inauguration is only a few weeks away. As events unfold in the nation’s capital, they bring heightened security and increases in all kinds of traffic, including aviation traffic, to the Washington, DC area. In anticipation of the
situation, the FAA has released a NOTAM that outlines the temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) and air traffic procedures for the Washington, DC region on January 20. To view the full NOTAM and additional resources for Members planning travel in the
Washington area, visit:http://www.nbaa.org/airspace/inauguration

Minnesota Group Awarded $43,000 in Aviation Scholarships Last Year
In 2008, the Minnesota Business Aviation Association (MBAA), in partnership with the Frank P. McCartney Foundation, awarded $43,000 in scholarships and training to students pursuing aviation careers at Minnesota colleges. NBAA joins MBAA and the
McCartney Foundation in congratulating the recipients: Marisa Kendall, Ryon Koch, Nicholos Metzen, Bradley Nesheim and Jason McNally of St. Cloud State University and Joseph Peters, Kenneth Kessler, Brian Baumann and Katrine Avery of Mankato State
University. The awards were presented at MBAA’s annual charitable event last year. For more information, contact MBAA President Neil Brackin at neil.brackin@genmills.com.

20th Anniversary S&D Conference Is Next Week; Don’t Miss LASP Session
The NBAA 20th Annual Schedulers & Dispatchers (S&D) Conference is next week and Attendees are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Themed “Honoring our Heritage – Reaching for New Heights,” the conference promises to be a
uniquely celebratory, educational and network-building event. The event will take place from January 14 to 16 at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center in California. Newly added to the agenda is a January 15 education session on the
TSA’s proposed LASP, led by the NBAA’s Doug Carr and the NBAA Security Council. Leading up to the Conference, on January 12 and 13, NBAA offers five Schedulers Professional Development Program (SPDP) courses designed to meet the specific needs of
schedulers and dispatchers. For more information and to register online, visit:http://www.nbaa.org/events/sdc/2009

2009 Member Directory Updates Due Jan. 23
The 2009 NBAA Directory of Member Companies, Aircraft & Personnel will be printed soon. In order to ensure that all Member information is up-to-date in the printed Directory, NBAA requests that Member Representatives make any
necessary changes to their company’s Membership record by Friday, January 23. Members may update information through “My NBAA Profile,” NBAA’s online tool that allows Members to access and make changes to their records. Changes can be made at any
time and are immediately reflected in the Online Directory. Printed Membership update forms will not be mailed this year. To make a specific request for a printed form, contact NBAA by January 14 at (800) 394-6222 or membership@nbaa.org. To view and update Member profiles now, visit:http://www.nbaa.org/mynbaa

Register Now for January’s Flight Operations Manual and Flight Department Management Workshops
Time is running out to register online for this month's NBAA Flight Operations Manual Workshop and NBAA Management Fundamentals for Flight Departments Workshop, both offered in Savannah, GA, through the Association’s Professional Development Program
(PDP). The Flight Operations Manual Workshop held on January 26 and 27 will incorporate the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO). The Management Fundamentals for Flight Departments Workshop offered from January 28 to 29
will provide education for flight department managers on safe operations, regulatory compliance, budgeting and accounting, vendor selection, personnel management and other issues. The workshops will be held at the Hilton Savannah Desoto Hotel. For
more information, contact NBAA’s Sandy Wirtz at swirtz@nbaa.org. To view a full list of PDP offerings and register for courses, visit:http://www.nbaa.org/events/pdp

Nominations for NBAA’s Most Prestigious Awards Due Feb. 6
The February 6 deadline is fast approaching to submit nominations for NBAA’s Meritorious Service to Aviation and John P. “Jack” Doswell Awards. The Meritorious Service Award recognizes those individuals who have made significant lifelong
contributions to aviation. The Doswell Award honors lifelong individual achievement in support of the aims, goals and objectives of business aviation. NBAA Members are strongly encouraged to submit nominations for both awards. The 2009 award
recipients will be officially recognized at the NBAA 62nd Annual Meeting & Convention in Orlando, FL. For more information and nomination guidelines, visit:http://www.nbaa.org/awards

Call for Speakers Announced for 2009 Flight Attendants Conference
The NBAA Flight Attendants Committee is seeking presenters for the 2009 Flight Attendants Conference. Scheduled to be held in New Orleans from June 25 to 27, this year’s Conference will focus on cabin safety, security and professionalism. Interested
speakers should submit original, forward-thinking ideas that clearly and concisely speak to Conference theme, by the proposal deadline of January 31. The event will open the evening of June 25 with a First-Time Attendees Welcome Session and
Networking Reception. Education sessions will be held from June 26 to 27. A complete agenda will be available online in April. Interested presenters should contact NBAA's Jay Evans at jevans@nbaa.org.